A team of biologists collects samples from a stream. Using PCR and other techniques, they amplify numerous DNA sequences. In doing so, they discover many new bacterial species. These biologists are working in the field of a. metagenomics. b. functional genomics. c. comparative genomics. d. relational genomics. e. proteomics.
A
The correct answer is a. metagenomics.
Metagenomics is the study of genetic material recovered directly from environmental samples. In this case, the biologists are using PCR and other techniques to amplify DNA sequences from a stream sample. By doing so, they are able to identify new bacterial species that were previously unknown. This is a core concept of metagenomics – using sequencing technologies to identify microbial communities and their functions.
Functional genomics, on the other hand, is the study of gene function, while comparative genomics looks at the comparison of genomes across different species. Relational genomics deals with integrating and analyzing genomic, proteomic, and other biological data. Proteomics is the study of the structure and function of proteins. None of these fields accurately describe the work of the biologists studying the stream samples.
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